Proyecto Uno

PROYECTO UNO {Project One} is a Dominican-American Merengue hip hop group from New York. Originally formed in 1989 on New York's East Side as a traditional merengue band, Proyecto Uno gradually assimilated a variety of urban American influences into their sound, including techno and house, plus hip-hop and R&B-influenced salsa.

Founder and leader, Nelson Zapata was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, but after moving with his family to New York while in middle school, he began listening to American sounds as well. He began recording with the singles "Todo El Mundo", and "Brinca"!!. It became a big hit in South and Central America as well as Latin sections of urban America. The debut Proyecto Uno LP, Todo el Mundo, did similarly well, and the group toured Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina. The original members were Nelson Zapata and Ricky Echavarria. Later, Magic Juan, Johnny Salgado and Erik Morales joined the group. Early producers were Nelson Zapata and Pavel De Jesus, and its first manager was Porfirio Piña. Proyecto Uno became the pioneers of Merenhouse or Merenrap (a mix of merengue and hip hop) in the 1990s.

Proyecto Uno' s current manager is Rafael Zapata II. Among their many recognitions the group won Billboard Latin Awards, Premios Lo Nuestro, and an Emmy. The song "Tiburon" was listed as #28 in the VH1 Latino "100 of the 90s" special . Several of the old members reunited to perform at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 18, 2008 during "Los Mejores De Los 90's" Concert. In August 2010, Nelson Zapata founder & owner of the trademark of Proyecto Uno since 1989 selected it's new members Kid G, Josue Cedeño and Anthony Galindo. They will embark on a Worldwide Tour, album coming soon. Proyectouno.net

Awards and recognitions

• Colombia
  • “Esta Pegao” – Song of the Colombian World Cup Team - 1996
  • Nominated Song of the Year “25 horas” 2000

• Venezuela
  • Premios Orquidea 1993 and 1995
  • Premios Ronda 1993

• Miami
  • Premios Lo Nuestro, "Album of the Year-Urbana" 2003
  • Premios Lo Nuestro ,“Musica Rap" 1994
  • Nominated: Premios Lo Nuestro , “Grupo Del Año-Tropical” 1998

• Billboard Latin Awards
  • “Rap Album Of the Year” for In Da’ House 1997
  • “Latin Dance Single of the Year” for “Mueve La Cadera” (Move your Body) with Reel 2 Reel
  • Nominated: “Latin Dance Club Play Track of the Year” for “No Nos Tenemos (NNT)” 1999

• New York
  • ACE Awards 1993 and 1996
  • Premios Estrella 1994, 1995 and 1997
  • Premios Too Much 1996 and 1997

• EMMY Awards
  • Outstanding Original Music Composition 1999
  • TV Jingle 1998

Discography

• 1991 Todo El Mundo (Everybody)
• 1994 In Da House
• 1996 New Era
• 1999 4
• 2002 Pura Gozadera
• 2007 Evolution

Singles

• "El Tiburón" (The Shark)
• "Pumpin'"
• "Brinca" {Jump}
• "25 horas"
• "Holla"
• "Another Night"
• "Está pegao" {it got hook}
• "Déjame tener algo contigo" {Let Me Have Something With You}
• "Latinos"
• "Mueve la cadera"